The longest recorded time a chicken has lived without its head is an astonishing 18 months. This unusual case involved a chicken named Mike, who became famous for surviving 18 months after a botched beheading. Mike’s story began on September 10, 1945, in Fruita, Colorado, when a farmer named Lloyd Olsen attempted to slaughter him for dinner. However, the axe missed the vital blood vessels in Mike’s neck, leaving part of his brain and spinal cord intact.

Remarkably, Mike was able to remain alive and even appear to be functioning normally for a significant period. This was due to the fact that the majority of his brainstem, which controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate, was still intact. Although Mike was unable to see or eat properly, he was fed a nutrient-rich mixture through an eyedropper. He managed to maintain his weight and health despite his condition, becoming a local sensation.

Mike’s unusual survival attracted national attention, and he was showcased in various exhibitions and sideshows. His story highlights both the resilience of life and the remarkable adaptability of biological organisms under extreme conditions. Mike’s tale continues to fascinate people, symbolizing the extraordinary and sometimes bizarre nature of nature itself. He eventually died in March 1947, but his legacy lives on as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of life.